Superstorm Sandy Blue Acres Program • New Jersey established the Blue Acres program in 2007
to purchase residential properties severely or repetitively damaged by storms and flooding. • Blue Acres has a post-Superstorm Sandy goal of buying
1,300 homes in New Jersey, using Federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as well as state funds.
Superstorm Sandy Blue Acres Program • The program seeks to purchase clusters of homes in
towns hit hard by Sandy and previous storm and flooding events. • Woodbridge Township applied to the N.J. Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) to participate in Blue Acres. • Participation by homeowners is voluntary.
• The State’s goal is to get homeowners out of harm’s way
in the event of future flooding.
Appraisal Process • Each home in the program will be appraised at pre-storm
market value by an independent, certified appraiser, using sales of comparable homes sold before Sandy. • If you do not agree with the appraisal, you have the right
to appeal. Generally, you will have 30 days to file an appeal once a written offer is made.
Duplication of Benefits (DOB) • This is a process to ensure financial assistance is not
given more than once for the same activity, such as repairs. • Homeowners will need to supply receipts and
documentation of home repairs paid for with government , private insurance and/or charitable donations. • The State will work with you to make sure you get as
close as possible to the appraised value of your home.
Title Search & Environmental Review • You will receive an environmental questionnaire and the
State will conduct an environmental review at its own expense. • The State will conduct title searches for each property to
verify ownership and to identify any issues that may prevent the homeowner from giving the state clear title to the property.
Case Managers • A Case Manager will be assigned to work with you every
step of the way. • Your case manager will answer your questions, help you
fill out forms, provide information to you, and lead you through the acquisition process.
Steps to Closing Kickoff Meeting Documentation to Case Managers Environmental Hazard, Title and Appraisal
Face to Face Offer Meeting followed by Written Offer Contract
Closing
Closing • You will need an attorney to represent you in this
transaction. • Your closing will be done by mail. • The proceeds of the sale will go directly to your attorney’s
trust account.
Short Sales • Some homeowners have mortgages that exceed the pre-
storm value of their homes. • With your permission, Blue Acres will work with your
lender to attempt to negotiate a “short sale” – a situation where the lender may accept a lower amount than it is owed.
After the Sale • Purchased homes will be demolished at the State’s
expense. • The newly cleared land will be managed by Woodbridge
Township to be used for purposes that do not require building of any new structures. • Once acquired by the State, the property will become
passive, recreational open space and will remain that way forever. It cannot be developed.
Benefits Benefits of this program include: • You get pre-storm value for your home (unless the home
was sold after Superstorm Sandy) • You don’t pay a real estate transfer tax. • You don’t pay a commission to a realtor. • You have the ability to move out of harm’s way.
What you need to do now • Fill Out Forms • Voluntary Interest • Citizenship (Declaration & Release) • Send Info to Case Managers • Blue Acres Program Application • Deed • Title Policy • DOB Documents • Environmental Questionnaire • Other • Attorney for Closing • Obtain Mortgage Payoff Statement
Blue Acres Contact Information NJDEP Blue Acres Program Mail Code 501-01 PO Box 420 Trenton, NJ 08625-0420 Office Phone: (609) 633-2944 www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres
